Television
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Black Sitcoms
Sitcoms
20th Century Sitcoms
100
Love it or hate it, no African-American sitcom has ever been more popular, financially successful or culturally significant as this one.
What is The Cosby Show
100
This memorable show about a successful drycleaner and his wife “movin’ on up” to a luxury Manhattan apartment has the distinction of being the longest running show with a predominately black cast in television history.
What is The Jeffersons
100
Emmy winner Jackée Harry (pictured) was the breakout star of this high-rated show set in a predominately black DC neighborhood and starring Jeffersons veteran Marla Gibbs.
What is 227
100

Oh snap! This teen girl gets everyone into trouble every time she finds herself or others in a bind. It's all in the name of love, but this main character doesn't just see in the future but she has a passion for fashion, singing, music and a boy named Devon. 

What is That's So Raven!

100
This 21st century black sitcom aired more episodes (a total of 254) than any other television series (of any genre) with a predominantly African American cast, surpassing The Jeffersons (253 episodes), Family Matters (215 episodes) and The Cosby Show (201 episodes).
What is Tyler Perry's House of Payne
200
This supersmart 10-year-old is wise beyond his years. An intellectual genius living in the complicated world of adults, he finds that his remarkable gifts are sometimes hard to manage as he faces premature growing pains and struggles to live a normal life.

What is Smart Guy

200
Comedian Martin Lawrence created a host of hilarious characters (such as Sheneneh, Roscoe and Jerome) on this popular show which eventually led to an even more successful movie career.
What is Martin
200
This sweet, critically praised throwback sitcom which aired from 2005-2009 recreates comedian Chris Rock’s childhood growing up in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn during the 1980s. The show ended on the same note Rock’s teen years did—the lead character drops out of high school to become a stand up.
What is Everybody Hates Chris
200
The the plot of this show is based on twins who were separated at birth and by chance meet each other in a shopping mall
What is Sister Sister
200

This television sitcom debuted on ABC on September 22, 1989, and ended on May 9, 1997. However it moved to CBS. The series revolves around the Winslow family, a middle-class African-American family living in Chicago, Illinois with a pesty neighbor. Similar to Fresh Prince of Bel Air, this show switched out the matriarch of the family...

What is Family Matters

300

Airing on the WB from 1997-2002, this sitcom was a launchpad for several of today’s black comedians, including Cedric the Entertainer. It took black ensemble comedy out of the living room and into the workplace, with its premise of second-chances and self-renewal.

What is The Steve Harvey Show

300
NBC (1971-1977)- This uproarious show about an aging, irascible junk collector and his patient son proved to be the perfect vehicle of comedy genius of Red Foxx. Foxx became an unlikely star in his 50s, although his character’s trademark faux heart attacks became less funny after he succumbed to one himself in 1991.
What is Sanford and Son
300
One of the few major network shows to be centered on African-American women, this show was one of the most popular black sitcoms of the 90s as it proved to audiences that Queen Latifah could act as well as rap. Moreover, it also proved that women that were plus sized could star on a sitcom as beautiful, full figured women, without being deemed as asexual
What is Living Single
300

In this show, a young girl is discovered selling sandwiches and is offered her dream job. She's the youngest at her job, has a real big girl title, has one co-worker who hates her guts but that doesn't stop her grind. This girl puts in the work to make sure her designs are fresh and hot! 

What is True Jackson, VP

300
Premiering in 2006 on the CW, this show is a spin-off of "Girlfriends" featuring a group of women who all have relationships with professional football players. This show was picked up by BET in 2009.
What is The Game
400
The critically acclaimed sitcom (the show won won the Peabody Award, the Humanitas Prize and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, just to name a few) which starred a late great comedian, proved that the comic legend’s distinct brand of no-nonsense straight-talk couldn’t be stifled by the family sitcom genre.
What is The Bernie Mac Show
400
Building off of its Cosby Show lead in, this light-hearted portrayal of life at fictional Hillman University was a big hit with white and black viewers. Some have credited it with increasing enrollment at HBCUs like the one portrayed on the show.
What is A Different World
400
J.J. Walker’s antics (“Dyn-o-mite”) in later years overshadowed this sitcom’s initial stronger seasons which did an effective job of humanizing the struggles of an inner-city family in the projects.
What is Good Times
400
This show showcased the talents of two brothers who were already well-known from the sketch comedy show In Living Color along with the comedic talents of John Witherspoon that was aired from 1990 to 1994
What is The Wayans Bros.
400
These sitcom veterans Damon Wayans (In Living Color) and Tisha Campbell (Martin) join together to star in this black sitcom comedy which centers on the character of Michael Kyle, a loving husband and modern-day patriarch who rules his household with a unique and distinct parenting style.
What is My Wife and Kids
500

A single father suddenly becomes a full-time dad when his ex-wife accepts a job out of the country and his teenage daughter moves in with him. The former athlete-turned-sportscaster finds his bachelor lifestyle completely turned upside-down as he and his daughter settle into a real familial relationship.

What is One on One

500

Will Smith is currently best known for his blockbuster action films and his Academy Award nominated work in films like The Pursuit of Happyness. But TV fans will always cherish the comedic chops he displayed as a fish-out-of-water title character on this show.

What is The Fresh Prince of Bel Air

500

This teenager is juggling school, friendships and romance. Previously the female head of the household, she is learning to love and trust her father's new wife. While at home, she does her best to be the "glue" that helps hold her family together. In the show's fourth season the lead's best friend stars in her own spin-off series The Parkers.

What is Moesha

500

After his comedic breakout on In Living Color, this comedian, singer, songwriter, radio show host, and award winning actor headlined this black sitcom from 1996-2001.

What is the Jamie Foxx Show

500
An American sitcom that aired on UPN from August 30, 1999, to May 10, 2004 was A spin-off of UPN's Moesha.
What is The Parkers
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